God’s Own Backyard Ultra Spring – Race Report

Date: Saturday 23rd May 2026

Strava miles: 140.22 miles

Elevation: 7,441 ft / 2,268 m

Weather: Heat wave

Start: Hunters Greave, Leeds

Route type: 4.2 mile laps

Conditions: Dry

Website link: God’s Own Backyard Ultra

Describe the route in three words: lots of tarmac

Gods Own Backyard Ultra – Race Report

Lap description

Day loop: Turn left out of the scout hut grounds and follow the tarmac path until reaching the canal. Turn left and along the canal until reaching a bridge, there is one noticeable downhill where the triple lock is. Turn left just before the bridge to then make a right over the bridge. Pavement until a right turn to climb over (or duck under) a metal bar. Slight downhill through trees, exit out onto a meadow and then back into the woodland. Climb over another bar. Left turn up steps. Hill to pass over a park. (There are two bins here, one as you reach the top of the hill and another just before going back into the woodland). Through the woodland, flat and a bit downhill. Arrive at the bottom of the steps, cross over a lock and then continue on tarmac up the hill at the side of the three locks and then into the trees (signposted) to reach the tarmac path before making a left back into the scout camp.

Night loop: Follow the day loop until the turnaround point which is before the bridge and near a bench. Retrace route past camp and follow tarmac path until the end. Turn left through a grass area, up some steps, right along the tarmac canal path until the turnaround point. Retrace route until back at the scout hut.

Gods Own Backyard Ultra – Race Report

After the disappointment of Sherwood Pines being aborted during the 34th yard due to a tornado, a few race directors kindly offered places to their sold out events for those of us who had still been standing. I decided to take Gavin up on his offer and I would enter God’s Own Backyard Ultra, it was a Silver Ticket event, had a good start list and a friendly community. Around 8 weeks between the two events meant  plenty of time to recover, train and go again.

I was a bit unfortunate to get a bit of a back injury whilst moving a gate for the chickens and had limited training for around 3 weeks and missing my 2 peek weeks of training.

The weather was forecast to be HOT and I believe that temperatures were around 33 degrees for most of the race. The weather gods do not seem to be on my side! I love running in the heat but it brings with it the potential for extra problems, I was sure many would have to drop due to heat related issues such as heat stoke.

Fran and I arrived the day before to set up camp and walk a small part of the course. We had an Airbnb booked a short drive away so had a pleasant and relaxing evening eating dinner and watching TV.

Race morning dawned and there was lots of familiar faces – my coach Andy Wilson, Matt Gayton and Luke Carter (2025 England teammates), Chelle White (all round phenomenal runner), Phil Harris (GOBY course record holder), Peter Johnston (Irish / Bigs fame), Elenor Gallon (BYU obsessed!), Andy Miles (2026 England teammate), Mike Raffan (he and I were both at all 3 aborted races) my previous coach Stu Obree and his girlfriend Vic Owens crewing him. My tent was positioned behind Andy and Elenor and next to Cara Kirkness (another one of Andy’s athletes) and Luke. It was really lovely before the race to chat with the RDs Gavin and Ruth and to have a few people approach me to introduce themselves because they had heard me on a podcast.

I was being crewed and supported by the wonderful Francis, Mike and Sarah, with the knowledge that Fran’s nephew Cieran would pop in to cheer me on Saturday morning and that Alex Sweet and Phil Marshal would also come along Sunday to support anyone who needed it.

The first few yards I noted that it wasn’t as hot as I had expected it to be, apparently it had rained overnight, I had been oblivious to that! With each yard that passed I seemed to chat with many different people, it was a really friendly event. It was great to see Fran’s nephew Cieran who had cycled down to watch a few yards.

The course is a very nice route with lots of interest, I do like a canal as I have one near me that I do my intervals on. There was however, a lot of tarmac, much more tarmac than I had perhaps realised. I had done some mindset work around the tarmac as it is not something I particularity relish.

This race was the hardest backyard ultra for me. I’ve certainly had lots of highs and lows in each one I have done but this race I seemed to have to work quite hard at it early doors. As lovely as the route was, it didn’t ‘flow’ for me, this meant that each loop felt quite ‘long’. The course at Sherwood Pines flows really well for me and each yard seems to be done very quickly. As ‘easy’ as tarmac is, I don’t enjoy it, therefore it is likely that I probably run a little slower on it than if it were trail. My yard times were incredibly inconsistent which is unusual for me and I always felt like I was chasing the clock, sometimes this was perceived and sometimes it was true.

Despite finding the course hard and not at all one that plays to my strengths, I feel I have more memorable stories from this backyard ultra than any other one that I have done, and I think that was down to the phenomenal community and family feel of this particular event, I’m sure it does also help that as I have done a few, I turn up knowing more and more people at each one!

A stand out memory was the time that I spent with Peter. We’d had a good natter at Sherwood Pines and it was great to see him again at GOBY. He’s a really nice fella and I am so grateful not just for his company but his incredible support, he saved my race, twice! On the night yards I felt like I was on a bit of a death spiral, I’d done a few 52 minute yards leading into the night loops then moved to 55, 53, 54, 55 minute yards… not exactly a death spiral but I was working REALLY hard to produce those times, and these times were certainly a few minutes slower than what I am used to. I confessed how I felt to Peter who turned out was on his final yard (17), he’d been very certain about that. He suggested that he come out with me on one more yard to help me get into a better rhythm, and sure enough, we slashed 2 minutes off my yard time. Not only did he help me get in a better rhythm and head space, but my chest torch ran out on that yard! He lit the way for me, what an absolute hero. I would have really struggled if that had happened when I was on my own and perhaps would not have made it back in time with no light.

It was really nice to meet Andy Miles in person, we are both on this year’s England team*, we’d had a team Zoom call so had only met online previously. I’d also had Zoom calls with Phil Harris (course record holder) and Cara Kirkness (also coached by my coach), it really was lovely to finally meet everyone in real life!

*I have since had to decline the England team position due to the expense and travel logistics of getting over to Northern Ireland to compete... and I wanted to spend my birthday with my husband rather than racing!

Here are some more of my lovely memories:

One of my stand out favourite moments was watching a blackbird with a stick, trying to take it to its nest. However the stick was perhaps a bit heavier than the blackbird had anticipated it would be and it kept dipping down in the air and then flapping its wings really, really hard to gain more height, only to dip down again, it brushed over the top of a tree, I imagined a Disney Pixar movie and how I could have been watching some kind of escape scene!

Of course it’s always wonderful to catch up with Andy Wilson and Matt Gayton… Matt and I only got to run together a little bit and on one of downtimes I sat with Andy in his tent and offered his foam roller to a chap called Chris who needed to use it!

Charlie and Mad Amanda just two of the wonderful marshals… I forgot the others’ names… their support, their made up songs, spraying us with water to try to cool us down. One song was about the stairs and how it was our last time going up them for a few hours as we were next headed into the night loop.

I shared a yard with Dr Chris, a chronic pain doctor and we shared our mindset strategies, it was fascinating to meet him and hear how we both use the same methods which are applied to very different scenarios.

Chris who I lent Andy’s foam roller to was also very interested in mindset, so we ended up sharing some miles together.

I met an army major, and Stephen and Bev who knew of both myself and Kevin Munt through podcasts. Both of them PB-ed and at one point, it was looking as though Kev’s age record at BYU might be taken, Stephen at age 65 had the record in his sights!

Alex Sweet and Phil Marshal turned up on the Sunday to chip in with crewing duties, I saw Alex’s beaming smile and he promptly handed me a much needed ice pop. 

Andy W shared some blueberries with me on one yard and on another I took my water sprayer out and was spraying myself and others with it!

One Sunday yard I’d gone out with a Huel and was thinking how I could really do with a proper ice cold drink of water, I was manifesting it. As I reached the stairs, the manifestation worked! Gav was holding out a bottle of water, so cold the condensation was dripping off it, I faltered, “It’s ok” he said, “it’s legal” I took it gratefully and wow how refreshing it was to drink! (BYU rules state that no outside assistance is allowed, however RD’s decision is final and all runners were being offered the same.)

Someone told me that a runner had pooed in one of the bins, whether that was true or not, I have no idea but the bins did have covers on them which were similar to a toilet seat the idea of it made me laugh!

Every time I got to the park I thought of my mum, she’d said that this race would be “a walk in the park’ for me, it made me chuckle as I did always walk that bit!

There were signs of horses, hoof prints and manure. Someone had mentioned wild horses. As we started back on the day loops, sure enough, there was a herd of horses grazing on the meadow, it was a beautiful sight.

I decided to phone my friend Cath and she kept me company for a whole yard whilst I shared the in-race gossip with her. My husband also rang me for a chat which was lovely.

My mindset coach Lucy rang me and she too kept me company for a yard, I was struggling for time on that one and she really helped me to get a shimmy on. I’ve never had phone conversations with people during a BYU, it’s quite surreal and quite fun!

The End Game

On my 33rd yard I was really flagging. I’d come in just before the 1 minute whistle on the previous yard and I felt like I was running all of the time. When I do BYU it’s usually a really nice mixture of walk and run, and it’s physically easy. This one however just seemed to be an awful lot of running! As I came through the woods I looked at the time. I wasn’t going to make it. I rang Fran, his assistant picked up as I’d accidentally rung his work number! After some confusion she realised what was going on and she said she’d get him to call me. He did. I cried, “I’m not going to make it in!” “Yes you are!” Between Fran and Phil they took it in turns to speak to me, the tarmac stretch along the canal is visible from camp and they could see me. Fran told me to pick up the pace, I did and he praised me for it. Now pick it up a bit more, I did, more praise! I think we may have both been crying at this point!

I came in off the 33rd yard in 57m 47s. There wasn’t much left in the tank to be honest, I also needed a poo, there is no where suitable on the course to go to the loo and I certainly didn’t have enough time to use the Scout Hut toilets at camp. I sat on the bench next to the start corral and had a team of people around me, Mike was spoon feeding me custard, Phil put a Calippo in my hand and Fran put a bottle of cold water in my other hand. I was pushed into the start corral and went out on to the next yard before I knew what was happening. I’m pretty sure Sarah and Alex were putting things in my mouth too! To be honest, it was all a bit of a blur!

I went for perhaps around a quarter of a mile, out on to the canal at least. Between the tarmac, the heat and needing a number two I knew my race was at it’s end. I’m sure I could have struggled round a bit longer but with another 8 people left in and the knowledge this would likely go into 50 yards at least, I knew my time was up. Not my course, not my day. I cried. I always do at the end of a backyard ultra regardless of the outcome! Andy was there offering moral support, I told him to get a wiggle on and not waste time hanging around with me, just as well as he PB-ed with 57 yards and was joint assist with Kieron Day to Andy Miles the winner with 58 yards!

What I wore: Saucony Peregrine 12, Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar, buff, Under Armour shorts, Injinji socks, Protein Rebel tee shirt, custom chicken gaiters made by Lesley from the Sewing Shed.

Lead up: There were 8 weeks between Sherwood Pines and God’s Own backyard ultras, plenty of time to allow for recovery, a bit or training and a taper. However disaster struck in April when I injured my back lifting a gate for the chickens, it was 3 weeks before it was right again and two of those weeks were my peek training weeks. I took the first peek week completely off training bar a bit of walking and the second peek week Coach Andy adjusted my sessions, running was off the schedule but I was able to do some walking and the stair machine. Not an ideal situation. This meant I also had to bin off the gym, I think it ended up being 6 weeks before I went back to the gym as I didn’t want to risk any lifting and re-injuring my back.

Summary

I was pleased to have achieved 33 yards on a course playing against my strengths and in very hot conditions. As usual, I fuelled and hydrated really well, my feet were in great shape and although on the day I felt physical ‘done’ my recovery was extremely quick, doing my ‘stair dance’ the following morning. (This is where I run up and down the stairs looking nearly like a normal person singing some sort of “look at me I can run up and down the stairs” song).

As lovely as the course is, as wonderful as the people and community are, I do not think it will be one I shall return to!

Crew were absolutely phenomenal as always, and a testament to their attentiveness, I did not have sun burn anywhere, in fact, I did not even pick up a tan! And no chafing either as they were very diligent at either reminding me to or putting the TrailSkin Anti Chafe balm on for me.

Thank you Francis, Mike and Sarah for being total crewing legends, Sarah even crewed Andy Wilson for a bit too! Thank you also to Alex Sweet and Phil Marshall for doing some end game crewing for me too. I feel very loved indeed.

Trailskin

My feet stayed in great shape throughout the race, as did my thighs! When I wear shorts, I have a tendency for chub rub on my thighs, the TrailSkin Anti Chafe balm works an absolute treat and I did not get any chafing. We applied it at every opportunity (every hour) however on a normal training run I would just apply it once at the start and on longer runs / races I would apply it as and when.

On my feet, I covered them in the TrailSkin Trench Foot Cream (until my feet were white with it) rubbed it in a bit and then put some of the TrailSkin Anti Chafe balm around my heels.

Order here: TrailSkin and use discount LizzieG20 for a 20% discount.

Huel

The VP of product at Huel got wind that I am a big fan of their ready to drink meals and he was very generous in sending me a huge amount of product which will keep me very happy for the next number of races. I find that the Huel ready to drink meals are fantastic for overnight or if I cannot be bothered to chew and swallow. I use the Ready to Drink (26g protein/ 400 cal / 30-41g carbs) and also the Black Edition Ready to Drink (35g / protein / 400 cal / 21-23g carbs).

Results

Strava time: 29hr 27m 06s

Fast lap: 47.45 (yard 1)

Slow lap: 58.26 (yard 32)

Average lap: 52.01

Overall: 9 / 93

Lady: 2 / 20

Strava link: click here

God’s Own BYU Spring 2026 results: click here

Lap Times for Elizabeth Gatherer – God’s Own BYU Spring 2026

A note on trolls

An interesting thing happened after the event, someone who attended the event, who ran a few yards there, who has never interacted with me before and whom I have never met, decided that he would troll my Strava. He seemed ‘displeased’ with how I described my achievements of the race. I have been trolled before, but these have been one-off comments by anonymous strangers. It was odd though, that someone within the backyard ultra community and who has mutual friends in common with me felt it appropriate to behave in such a disgraceful way. I was very disappointed that he would put a blemish on what was a wonderful event and experience.

Here are a few tips which I hope will be helpful:

• We project what we don’t like about ourselves onto others and then get triggered by them.
• Let them have their story about you, it’s not your story, it’s theirs, do not take it personally.
• Trolls never attack people achieving less than them, you’ve already accomplished more than they have, their motive could be jealousy.
• I pity them, they’ve got their own trauma and they try to feel better by trolling you. If you react, react with kindness, facts (if you feel necessary) and no emotion – they are looking for a reaction and thrive on emotion. You could disarm with humour.
• Block and report. Document everything. I feel strongly about trolls ‘getting away’ with their antisocial behaviour, what may seemingly be an insignificant slight to your character today could build and build until one day, they attack someone who is truly vulnerable and they could cause some serious damage. You can report to the social media platform, or if it’s a named person rather than an anonymous account, to a race director, governing body (e.g England athletics), their coach etc.

I received countless DMs on Strava and Instagram as well as WhatsApp messages from running friends showing their support towards me, someone sent me a lovely quote:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong woman stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends themself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if she fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

Have you had an experience with trolling? Interested to hear how it affected you and how you reacted, feel free to comment or send me an email if that’s more comfortable for you.

Be kind to each other, this ultra running community is a very special one indeed. Let’s not tarnish it.